Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police Executive Director Dana G. Schrad to Retire After 30 Years

RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police & Foundation (VACP) today announces that Executive Director Dana G. Schrad will retire this month after 30 years of service to the association and Virginia’s law enforcement profession. Schrad has led the VACP since January 1996, guiding the organization’s programs, training and leadership education, consulting services, and public policy work on behalf of police executives statewide.

Over a career spanning law, public policy, and communications, Schrad has been a key facilitator in Virginia’s public safety landscape—bridging the needs of local law enforcement leaders with lawmakers, training partners, and community stakeholders. Before joining the VACP, she worked for nearly a decade in television journalism as a police beat reporter, executive producer, and assignment editor. She later earned her J.D. from the University of Richmond’s T.C. Williams School of Law and served as a staff attorney with the Virginia State Crime Commission from 1989-1996.

At the Crime Commission, Schrad helped lead and contribute to criminal justice studies, including work related to drug trafficking task forces and the development of drug court programs, as well as youth risk prevention and community initiatives.

As Executive Director of the VACP, Schrad has overseen the association’s strategy, operations, and finances; expanded and supported executive-level training and professional development; and served as a public spokesperson and policy advocate on issues affecting law enforcement leaders. In this role, she has also served as Executive Director of the Virginia Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (VACLEA).

Among her career accomplishments, Schrad has been recognized for strengthening leadership standards, supporting interagency cooperation, and sustaining a high-performing statewide association that provides training and technical assistance to agencies, local governments, and higher education institutions across the Commonwealth — ranging from public safety executive searches and organizational assessments to promotional and leadership development processes to legal and legislative guidance.

Throughout her career, Schrad has had ongoing participation in legislative workgroups and state-level advisory committees and boards on criminal justice and public safety policy. She continues to serve on the Advisory Board for the University of Virginia’s Center for Public Safety & Justice, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Roadway Safety Committee, the Board of Directors for DRIVE SMART® Virginia, and Virginia’s Statewide Interoperability Executive Committee. She previously served on the Virginia Board of Juvenile Justice and was appointed in 2022 to serve a term as Chair. Schrad also served as Chair of the IACP’s State Associations of Chiefs of Police Executive Directors Committee and Chair of the Capital Area ASAP (Alcohol Safety Action Program) Board.

In 2021, Schrad and 2020-21 VACP President Chief Maggie DeBoard (Herndon, retired) were jointly recognized by the Association with the 2021 VACP Award for Outstanding Contribution to Law Enforcement. Schrad and DeBoard were acknowledged for their tireless legislative efforts in the wake of the murder of George Floyd to protect qualified immunity for Virginia law enforcement officers, champion measured police reforms that ensured law enforcement agencies could continue to maintain the safety and security of their communities, and promote key areas of professional improvement for Virginia law enforcement.

Schrad was previously recognized by 2011-12 VACP President Chief Rick Clark (Galax, retired) in 2012 with the VACP President’s Award for her service to the Association and the citizens of the Commonwealth.

During her tenure, Schrad also previously taught criminal justice courses for Bluefield College and served as an instructor and presenter in numerous training programs and conferences for both the VACP and numerous other organizations.

“We want to thank Director Schrad for her leadership, integrity, and unwavering commitment to the police profession which shaped the VACP into what it is today, and express that we are deeply grateful for her service,” said Chief John Clair, President of the VACP and Chief of Police for the Blacksburg Police Department.

Schrad added, “I’ve been honored to serve this organization for the past 30 years. I believe strongly in the mission of supporting public safety executives and advancing professionalism in law enforcement. I have no doubt that the VACP will continue to grow in its mission and to be influential in criminal justice policy in Virginia.”

Schrad’s retirement will be effective April 30, 2026. 

About the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police & Foundation

The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police & Foundation (VACP) is a statewide charitable organization of federal, state and local police chiefs and other law enforcement executives dedicated to improving the professionalism of police agencies in Virginia and to providing training and education programs for law enforcement executives. The Association was founded in 1926. For more information, see https://www.vachiefs.org.

Media Contact:
Cory McGookin
VACP Executive Director
cory@vachiefs.org
540-621-8683